What are the first signs of cirrhosis of the liver?

how can you tell if youve got this disese?

Your doctor keeps telling you to stop drinking.

Bleeding because the liver does not make enough coagulation proteins (to make clots)
Swelling of body. If the swelling is of the abdomen it is called ascites
Confusion and acting very tired because of the extra ammonia that the liver cannot metabolize
Bleeding from very big swollen veins in the esophagus called esophageal varices. If these bleed, it can cause the person to die very quickly.

There are no early signs. Elevated liver enzymes are probably the earliest detectable signs. By the time you have an enlarged liver the disease is advanced.

Presenting signs and symptoms also depend on the cause of the cirrhosis. We think mainly of alcoholism, but cirrhosis is also caused by hepatitis B and C, certain toxins and drug reactions, chronic congestion from heart disease, Wilson's disease, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, certain parasitic diseases and several other causes.

Red palms, spider veins on the face, peripheral neuritis, breast enlargement and testicular shrinkage in males are signs of relatively advanced disease. Weight loss, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, and bleeding from esophageal veins (varices) are ominous and late signs.

The concerned person needs medical consultation, liver enzyme assay, and depending on the results and the findings at physical examination, a liver biopsy. As always, early diagnosis offers best prognosis.